Director / Head of Global Research and Innovation Management (m/f/d) (Chemiker/in)

Key Responsibilities:

- Develop and implement the innovation roadmap for materials, surfaces and technologies in alignment with company strategy, market trends and regulatory requirements
- Identify, develop and validate new materials, surfaces and functionalities to strengthen competitive advantage and support sustainability targets
- Drive the continuous improvement of existing materials and manufacturing processes with regard to quality, performance and efficiency
- Ensure compliance with technical standards, guidelines and regulatory requirements (e.g. REACH)
- Lead, develop and coach the team, including resource, capacity and priority management
- Foster effective collaboration with internal stakeholders and build strong partnerships with external partners, universities and research institutes
- Represent the company in relevant technical committees, industry forums and regulatory working groups
- Continuously improve innovation processes and align laboratory and testing capabilities with strategic business needs
- Support product development, production and quality functions through technical expertise, testing and material evaluation
- Build and maintain a strong innovation ecosystem by leveraging technology scouting, market intelligence and strategic partnerships

Your profile:

- Master's degree or PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering or a related field
- Several years of experience in Research & Development, Innovation Management or Material Development within an industrial environment
- Proven leadership experience with the ability to build, motivate and develop high-performing teams
- Strong expertise in materials, surface technologies and manufacturing processes
- Solid knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g. REACH)
- Experience in managing innovation projects from concept through implementation
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a hands-on and solution-oriented mindset
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills across international and cross-functional environments
- Experience collaborating with external partners, universities, research institutes and industry networks
- Fluent in English; additional language skills are considered an advantage